Judge Denies Hooker’s Request for Injunction

Nashville Circuit Court Judge Hamilton Gayden today denied an injunction request filed by John Jay Hooker against the Judicial Nominating Commission, The Tennessean reports. Hooker had sought to stop the commission from sending the governor candidates to fill two appellate court seats that will become vacant after the commission ceases to exist. The suit is the eighth time Hooker has gone to the courts to try to change the way Tennessee selects appellate judges. “I admire your tenacity and perseverance,” Gayden said. But “you’re asking me to do things I’m not authorized to do.” Gayden said that because the state Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments on a related Hooker case in July, he must defer to the high court’s judgment.